Should You Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioning Unit?

For the last 10 to 15 years, you may have given very little thought to your air conditioner. Each spring, you call in an air conditioning contractor for a yearly maintenance check. After that, you just enjoy your summer with cooled air in the house. However, now that the unit has gotten older, it may be requiring more and more repairs and may not run as efficiently as it should. You need to decide if it makes more sense to continue smaller repairs or if it's time to invest in an entirely new system. Here are some things that could help you decide!

Age

As one of the most expensive things for your home, your HVAC system was designed to last for many years. However, as with all appliances, it will need to be replaced at some point. If you have an air conditioner that is close to the limit of its lifespan, you might consider replacing it now instead of six months or a year from now when extensive (and expensive!) repairs are needed.

Quality

If you bought your home new, the contractor might not have selected the best quality air conditioner available at the time. While some units are top-quality and built to last a long time, there are discount air conditioners that might need to be replaced much sooner.

Regular Maintenance

Scheduling regular maintenance for your air conditioner can help to extend the life of the unit. Conversely, if the unit has not been properly maintained, it might not last as long. If you've recently moved into an older home, you may not know how well the system has been maintained. There might even have been years when you skipped the regular servicing. These unknowns might make it prudent to replace the system.

When making a final decision between repair and replacement, feel free to give us a call – we’d be happy to discuss all of your options with you.

Common Questions About Air Conditioning Service, Installation and Repair

Air conditioners make our lives more comfortable and make it possible to do productive work when the outside temperature would otherwise force us to take afternoon siestas. However, getting the best use from these machines requires some knowledge about air conditioning service, installation, and repair. Here are five frequently asked questions:

When should an air conditioner be regassed?

The gas inside an air conditioner doesn't degrade or get old. The only time an air conditioner needs regassing is when it has a leak.

When should I replace my air conditioner?

If your air conditioner is fairly new, repairing it is the better option. However, if it is near the end of its operational life, you may want to consider replacing it. Hanging on to an old machine will mean continuing repair costs as its various components wear out. If your unit is older than ten years, you can get substantial energy savings by getting a new replacement. New air conditioners benefit from technology improvements that give them considerable energy efficiencies.

Before calling an air conditioning service company, what should I check on my own?

Make sure it's not turned off, that the thermostat is set properly, and that it's getting power. Checking the power is done by making sure no circuit breakers are tripped. If you find that your AC unit frequently trips your circuit breakers, this indicates a problem that needs to be looked at by an AC service technician.

How frequently should I schedule maintenance for my air conditioner?

To keep your unit running efficiently and to avoid expensive breakdowns, regular maintenance is best. The best time of year for an air conditioning tune up is spring to early summer.

Is a bigger air conditioning system better?

The size of the space you wish to cool determines the capacity of the air conditioner. Bigger is not better in this case. An oversized air conditioner will constantly cycle on and off. Because air conditioners are inefficient when they're first turned on, the constant cycling will run up your electrical bill. Air conditioners also require steady running time to remove humidity. Therefore your home will have a low temperature and a high humidity, which means it'll feel cold and clammy.

If you need any more information about the questions above, or have any other questions about air conditioning service, installation or repair, we can help! Give us a call at (480) 946-5083 - we'd be happy to help!